Puerto Rico defeated the Dominican Republic 4-3 in extra innings on the strength of a bases-loaded single by third baseman José Rivera in the eighth inning, handing the Dominicans a painful opening-day loss at the 2023 Santo Domingo Caribbean Baseball Classic.
Starter César Valdez put the Dominican Republic in an early hole by allowing two runs in the first inning. Puerto Rico extended its lead to 2-0 when designated hitter Anthony García hit a solo home run to left-center field.
The Dominican Republic cut the deficit to 2-1 in the second inning when first baseman Michael De León drove in catcher Pedro Severino, who had opened the frame with a double, on a run-scoring single to center field.
Valdez settles in, bullpens take over
After the rocky start, Valdez steadied himself and finished his outing of 3.1 innings having allowed four hits, two earned runs, one walk and four strikeouts. Puerto Rico’s bullpen then took over, with Sidney Duprey, Joshua Torres and others keeping the Dominican lineup quiet through the middle innings.
Second baseman Kevin Santa drew attention with two standout defensive plays, cutting off a hit heading toward right field in the fifth inning and making a similar stop in center field in the sixth to retire Jimmy Paredes.
Dominican Republic forces extra innings
With one out needed to close out the game in the seventh, Puerto Rico manager Juan Igor González brought in left-handed reliever Miguel Ausua. Deivi Muñoz hit a sharp grounder toward shortstop Yadiel Rivera, whose throw to first was too strong for first baseman Antonio Luciano to handle. Muñoz scored from second base to tie the game at 2-2, sending the crowd at Estadio Quisqueya into a frenzy.
In the top of the eighth, the Dominican Republic put runners on first and second with no outs. After a sacrifice by Yairo Muñoz advanced the runners, a Puerto Rico infield play allowed Deivi Muñoz to score and give the Dominican Republic a 3-2 lead.
Rivera delivers the winner
Puerto Rico, as the home club, batted last in the extra frame. Dominican reliever Miguel Castro walked Kerby Camacho with the bases loaded to force in the tying run. With the bags still full, Rivera lined a single to right field to plate the winning run and end the game.
For the Dominican Republic, Severino went 1-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI. De León went 1-for-2 with an RBI. Castro took the loss, allowing two hits, two runs and a walk in his appearance.
For Puerto Rico, Rivera went 2-for-3 with the game-winning RBI. Rubén Lugo earned the win with one inning pitched, one run allowed and one walk.
